Battery interrupter

ABSTRACT

A battery interrupter system including an electrical motor for a machine, at least one battery which powers an electrical system of a machine, a programable logic controller electrically connected to the electrical system and an ignition electrically connected to the programmable logic controller. The battery interrupter system also includes a button, which initiates the battery interrupter system, is connected to the programmable logic controller, at least one contactor electrically connected to the at least one battery and the programmable logic controller, wherein the programmable logic controller is configured to sends a signal to the at least one contactor to latch-in the contactor and enable an electrical connection between the at least one battery and the electrical system of the machine, and a detection sensor electrically connected to the programmable logic controller, wherein the detection sensor identifies operating conditions of the electrical system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/880,367, filed on Jan. 25, 2018 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,361,553, issuedon Jul. 23, 2019), all of which is hereby incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety, including but not limited to those portions thatspecifically appear hereinafter, the incorporation by reference beingmade with the following exception: in the event that any portion of theabove-referenced application is inconsistent with this application, thisapplication superseded said above-referenced application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND 1. The Field of the Present Disclosure

The present disclosure relates generally to battery interrupter systemsthat can be used to insulate batteries or power sources from heavymachinery or vehicle in times of inactivity or in the presence of ahazard, such as fire or excessive heat.

2. Description of Related Art

The need to protect engines, motors and electrical systems from damagingor destructive operating conditions is essential for the properoperation of machinery or vehicles. Continued operation of an operatingsystem under hazard conditions, such as fire, can lead to a catastrophicfailure of the machine. Monitoring and protection systems are used onmachines to discourage operation of the machine when the operatingconditions exceed and/or are below acceptable limits. In the past,various systems of varying degrees of sophistication have been developedto monitor conditions in a machine, and/or other parameters, in order toimplement an machine protection protocol.

In some monitoring systems, an analog gauge signals the advent of anunacceptable condition. Analog or digital gauges provide continuousreadings of, for example, fluid levels and temperatures, but requireconstant monitoring by an operator.

Aftermarket retrofit systems have been available that electronicallymonitor certain operating parameters. Typically, these systems work inconjunction with original factory installed engine systems. As such, theaftermarket systems are affected by or affect the existing factorysystems, which can result in voiding the warranty on such OEM systems.Additionally, many of the retrofit systems can and are circumvented bycomponent failures, wire disconnects, and/or operator manipulation.

Current operating system protection and monitoring systems do notprovide a mechanism for automatically implementing a protocol whenparameters are within a predetermined fault condition.

The invention as herein disclosed and described is directed to a systemand protocol for monitoring parameters or conditions and controlling theoperating system and accessory functions.

The prior art is thus characterized by several disadvantages that areaddressed by the present disclosure. The present disclosure minimizes,and in some aspects eliminates, the above-mentioned failures, and otherproblems, by utilizing the methods and structural features describedherein.

The features and advantages of the present disclosure will be set forthin the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by the practice of the present disclosurewithout undue experimentation. The features and advantages of thepresent disclosure may be realized and obtained by means of theinstruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articlesor the like which has been included in the present specification is notto be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form partof the prior art base, or were common general knowledge in the fieldrelevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the prioritydate of each claim of this application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent froma consideration of the subsequent detailed description presented inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the battery interrupter system of thedisclosed invention;

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles inaccordance with the disclosure, reference will now be made to theembodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will beused to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that nolimitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Anyalterations and further modifications of the inventive featuresillustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles ofthe disclosure as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to oneskilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure,are to be considered within the scope of the disclosure claimed.

Before the present structural embodiments and methods for using andconstructing a battery interrupter system are disclosed and described,it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to theparticular configurations, process steps, and materials disclosed hereinas such configurations, process steps, and materials may vary somewhat.It is also to be understood that the terminology employed herein is usedfor the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is notintended to be limiting since the scope of the present disclosure willbe limited only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appendedclaims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referentsunless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In describing and claiming the present disclosure, the followingterminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set outbelow.

As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,”“characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive oropen-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements ormethod steps.

As used herein, the phrase “consisting of” and grammatical equivalentsthereof exclude any element, step, or ingredient not specified in theclaim.

Applicant has invented an improved battery interrupter system for heavymachinery or vehicles. This battery interrupter system enable a batterypower source to be interrupted and then isolated from the rest of anelectronic operating system to prevent or mitigate fire damage and saveand conserve battery life when the corresponding heavy machinery orvehicle is not in use. Conventionally, if a fire begins or extends intoan engine compartment or electrical housing, the power source (typicallya battery) still provides electrical current which exacerbates the fire,requiring faster and often more extreme extinguishing actions. Thefollowing detailed description of Applicant's battery interrupter willidentify how these conventional heavy machinery fire problems areovercome by the disclosed battery interrupter system.

FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrate a schematic diagram and circuit diagram,respectively, identifying the components and corresponding connectionsof a battery interrupter system 100. The battery interrupter system 100can be manufactured at the same time as electrical components of amachine or can be retrofit into an existing machine or vehicle. Thebattery interrupter system 100 can therefore include and cooperate withconventional machine or vehicle operating systems, including operating amotor or engine of the machine.

The battery interrupter system 100 includes an ignition switch 102 and apush button 104, or “on” button, which initiates the system 100. When anoperator presses the push button 104 to initiate the system 100, thepush button 104 sends an input signal to a programmable logic controller110, or PLC, to begin starting or initiating the system 100.

When the operator first begins initiating the system 100, from a coldstart, contactors 112 and 114 are in an open position, essentiallyisolating the battery 116, or batteries, from the rest of the system100. By isolating the battery 116 in this way, the system 100 is notreceiving any power, or open to receive power, from the battery 116,thereby conserving the battery power and limiting susceptibility to firewithin the system 100. The battery may be 12 volts, as shown in FIGS. 1and 2, or may be 24 volts or another desired voltage.

When the PLC 110 receives the input signal from the push button 104, thePLC 110 is programed to send power to the contactors 112 and 114 causingthem to latch in. The contactors 112 and 114 are also electricallyconnected to an electrical system 108, often including a motor, of theheavy machinery or vehicle, providing power thereto via the battery 116.Additionally, when the PLC 110 receives the input signal from the pushbutton 104, the PLC 110 is programmed to start a timer 124 which beginsa predetermined countdown. The countdown can be preset, or changed, ifdesired. For example, the countdown can be set at 5 minutes, or less, ormore. If after the countdown ends and the PLC 110 does not receive aninput from an ignition switch 102, then the PLC 110 will time out andsend power to the contactors 112 and 114 to unlatch them and againisolate the battery 116. When the contactors are latched in an activestate indicator light 120 may illuminate. The indicator light 120 may bevisible to the operator to ensure that the system 100 is active andfunctioning properly.

As also illustrated in the circuit diagram in FIG. 2, when thecontactors 112 and 114 are latched in and an input signal from theignition switch 102 is received by the PLC 110, the battery 116 willmaintain connection with the contactors 112 and 114 and provide power tothe system 100 in an active state. When the system 100 is in the activestate, the system 100 is monitored by at least one sensor 106, in atleast one of three ways. The sensor 106 can monitor pressure, as with anAnsul system, or monitor heat, such as spot detecting with spotdetector, or monitor flames, as with a fire eye sensor. The senor 106 inFIG. 2 is a pressure monitoring sensor, such as an Ansul system. If atany time the sensor 106 detects a hazard or problem, the sensor 106sends a signal to the PLC 110. Additionally, is at any time the system100 is not active or has detected a hazard, a second indicator light118, such as a red light, may be illuminated indicating to the operatorthat the system is no longer active or receiving power from the battery116.

Upon receiving a hazard signal from the sensor 106 the PLC 110 sendspower, a voltage, to unlatch the contactors 112 and 114 to again isolatethe battery and mitigate any damage done by the hazard. If no hazard isdetected then the sensor will maintain the completed circuit through thetimer 124 and start relay 128.

In situations where the heavy machinery or vehicle has been used withoutproblem or hazard detection, at the end of operation when the operatoris finished using the equipment, the ignition switch 102 is turned off,and the timer 124 will once again start its countdown. Once thecountdown is completed without the ignition switch 102 being restarted,the PLC 110 will send power to unlatch the contactors 112 and 114 andisolate the battery 116, facilitating a longer battery life since thebattery will be isolated from the machine while the machine is not inuse.

In another embodiment of the disclosed invention, as shown in FIG. 3, abattery interrupter system 200 includes an ignition switch 202 and apush button 204, or “on” button, which initiates the system 200. When anoperator presses the push button 204 to initiate the system 200, thepush button 204 sends an input signal to a programmable logic controller210, or PLC, to begin starting or initiating the system 200.

When the operator first begins initiating the system 200, from a coldstart, contactors 212 and 214 are in an open position, essentiallyisolating the battery 216, or batteries, from the rest of the system200. By isolating the battery 216 in this way, the system 200 is notreceiving any power, or open to receive power, from the battery 216,thereby conserving the battery power and limiting susceptibility to firewithin the system 100. The battery 216 may be 24 volts, as shown in FIG.3, or may be 12 volts or another desired voltage.

When the PLC 210 receives the input signal from the push button 204, thePLC 210 is programed to send power to the contactors 112 and 114 causingthem to latch in. Additionally, when the PLC 210 receives the inputsignal from the push button 204, the PLC 210 is programmed to start atimer 224 which begins a predetermined countdown. The countdown can bepreset, or changed, if desired. For example, the countdown can be set at5 minutes, or less, or more. If after the countdown ends and the PLC 210does not receive an input from an ignition switch 202, then the PLC 210will time out and send power to the contactors 212 and 214 to unlatchthem and again isolate the battery 216. When the contactors are latchedin an active state indicator light 220 may illuminate. The indicatorlight 220 may be visible to the operator to ensure that the system 200is active and functioning properly.

As also illustrated in the circuit diagram in FIG. 3, when thecontactors 212 and 214 are latched in and an input signal from theignition switch 202 is received by the PLC 210, the battery 216 willmaintain connection with the contactors 212 and 214 and provide power tothe system 200 in an active state. When the system 200 is in the activestate, the system 200 is monitored by at least one sensor 206, in atleast one of three ways. The sensor 206 can monitor pressure, as with anAnsul system, or monitor heat, such as spot detecting with spotdetector, or monitor flames, as with a fire eye sensor. The senor 206 inFIG. 3 is a pressure monitoring sensor, such as an Ansul system. If atany time the sensor 206 detects a hazard or problem, the sensor 206sends a signal to the PLC 210. Additionally, is at any time the system200 is not active or has detected a hazard, a second indicator light218, such as a red light, may be illuminated indicating to the operatorthat the system is no longer active or receiving power from the battery216.

Upon receiving a hazard signal from the sensor 206 the PLC 210 sendspower, a voltage, to unlatch the contactors 212 and 214 to again isolatethe battery and mitigate any damage done by the hazard. If no hazard isdetected then the sensor will maintain the completed circuit through thetimer 224 and start relay 228.

In situations where the heavy machinery or vehicle has been used withoutproblem or hazard detection, at the end of operation when the operatoris finished using the equipment, the ignition switch 202 is turned off,and the timer 224 will once again start its countdown. Once thecountdown is completed without the ignition switch 202 being restarted,the PLC 210 will send power to unlatch the contactors 212 and 214 andisolate the battery 216, facilitating a longer battery life since thebattery will be isolated from the machine while the machine is not inuse.

In another embodiment of the disclosed invention, as shown in FIG. 4, abattery interrupter system 300 includes an ignition switch 302 and apush button 304, or “on” button, which initiates the system 300. When anoperator presses the push button 304 to initiate the system 300, thepush button 304 sends an input signal to a programmable logic controller310, or PLC, to begin starting or initiating the system 300.

When the operator first begins initiating the system 300, from a coldstart, contactors 312 and 314 are in an open position, essentiallyisolating the battery 316, or batteries, from the rest of the system300. By isolating the battery 316 in this way, the system 300 is notreceiving any power, or open to receive power, from the battery 316,thereby conserving the battery power and limiting susceptibility to firewithin the system 300. The battery 316 may be 12 volts, as shown in FIG.4, or may be 24 volts or another desired voltage.

When the PLC 310 receives the input signal from the push button 304, thePLC 310 is programed to send power to the contactors 312 and 314 causingthem to latch in. Additionally, when the PLC 310 receives the inputsignal from the push button 304, the PLC 310 is programmed to start atimer 324 which begins a predetermined countdown. The countdown can bepreset, or changed, if desired. For example, the countdown can be set at5 minutes, or less, or more. If after the countdown ends and the PLC 310does not receive an input from an ignition switch 302, then the PLC 310will time out and send power to the contactors 312 and 314 to unlatchthem and again isolate the battery 316. When the contactors are latchedin an active state indicator light 320 may illuminate. The indicatorlight 320 may be visible to the operator to ensure that the system 300is active and functioning properly.

As also illustrated in the circuit diagram in FIG. 4, when thecontactors 312 and 314 are latched in and an input signal from theignition switch 302 is received by the PLC 310, the battery 316 willmaintain connection with the contactors 312 and 314 and provide power tothe system 300 in an active state. When the system 300 is in the activestate, the system 300 is monitored by at least one sensor 306, in atleast one of three ways. The sensor 306 can monitor pressure, as with anAnsul system, or monitor heat, with a spot detector, or monitor flames,as with a fire eye sensor. The senor 306 in FIG. 4 is a heat monitoringsensor, such as an spot detector. If at any time the sensor 306 detectsa hazard or problem, the sensor 306 sends a signal to the PLC 310.Additionally, is at any time the system 300 is not active or hasdetected a hazard, a second indicator light 318, such as a red light,may be illuminated indicating to the operator that the system is nolonger active or receiving power from the battery 316.

Upon receiving a hazard signal from the sensor 306 the PLC 310 sendspower, a voltage, to unlatch the contactors 312 and 314 to again isolatethe battery and mitigate any damage done by the hazard. If no hazard isdetected then the sensor will maintain the completed circuit through thetimer 324 and start relay 328.

In situations where the heavy machinery or vehicle has been used withoutproblem or hazard detection, at the end of operation when the operatoris finished using the equipment, the ignition switch 302 is turned off,and the timer 324 will once again start its countdown. Once thecountdown is completed without the ignition switch 302 being restarted,the PLC 310 will send power to unlatch the contactors 312 and 314 andisolate the battery 316, facilitating a longer battery life since thebattery will be isolated from the machine while the machine is not inuse.

In another embodiment of the disclosed invention, as shown in FIG. 5, abattery interrupter system 400 includes an ignition switch 402 and apush button 404, or “on” button, which initiates the system 400. When anoperator presses the push button 404 to initiate the system 400, thepush button 404 sends an input signal to a programmable logic controller410, or PLC, to begin starting or initiating the system 400.

When the operator first begins initiating the system 400, from a coldstart, contactors 412 and 414 are in an open position, essentiallyisolating the battery 416, or batteries, from the rest of the system400. By isolating the battery 416 in this way, the system 400 is notreceiving any power, or open to receive power, from the battery 416,thereby conserving the battery power and limiting susceptibility to firewithin the system 400. The battery 416 may be 24 volts, as shown in FIG.5, or may be 14 volts or another desired voltage.

When the PLC 410 receives the input signal from the push button 404, thePLC 410 is programed to send power to the contactors 412 and 414 causingthem to latch in. Additionally, when the PLC 410 receives the inputsignal from the push button 404, the PLC 410 is programmed to start atimer 424 which begins a predetermined countdown. The countdown can bepreset, or changed, if desired. For example, the countdown can be set at5 minutes, or less, or more. If after the countdown ends and the PLC 410does not receive an input from an ignition switch 402, then the PLC 410will time out and send power to the contactors 412 and 414 to unlatchthem and again isolate the battery 416. When the contactors are latchedin an active state indicator light 420 may illuminate. The indicatorlight 420 may be visible to the operator to ensure that the system 400is active and functioning properly.

As also illustrated in the circuit diagram in FIG. 5, when thecontactors 412 and 414 are latched in and an input signal from theignition switch 402 is received by the PLC 410, the battery 416 willmaintain connection with the contactors 412 and 414 and provide power tothe system 400 in an active state. When the system 400 is in the activestate, the system 400 is monitored by at least one sensor 406, in atleast one of three ways. The sensor 406 can monitor pressure, as with anAnsul system, or monitor heat, with a spot detector, or monitor flames,as with a fire eye sensor. The senor 406 in FIG. 5 is a heat monitoringsensor, such as an spot detector. If at any time the sensor 406 detectsa hazard or problem, the sensor 406 sends a signal to the PLC 410.Additionally, is at any time the system 400 is not active or hasdetected a hazard, a second indicator light 418, such as a red light,may be illuminated indicating to the operator that the system is nolonger active or receiving power from the battery 416.

Upon receiving a hazard signal from the sensor 406 the PLC 410 sendspower, a voltage, to unlatch the contactors 412 and 414 to again isolatethe battery and mitigate any damage done by the hazard. If no hazard isdetected then the sensor will maintain the completed circuit through thetimer 424 and start relay 428.

In situations where the heavy machinery or vehicle has been used withoutproblem or hazard detection, at the end of operation when the operatoris finished using the equipment, the ignition switch 402 is turned off,and the timer 424 will once again start its countdown. Once thecountdown is completed without the ignition switch 402 being restarted,the PLC 410 will send power to unlatch the contactors 412 and 414 andisolate the battery 416, facilitating a longer battery life since thebattery will be isolated from the machine while the machine is not inuse.

In another embodiment of the disclosed invention, as shown in FIG. 6, abattery interrupter system 500 includes an ignition switch 502 and apush button 504, or “on” button, which initiates the system 500. When anoperator presses the push button 504 to initiate the system 500, thepush button 504 sends an input signal to a programmable logic controller510, or PLC, to begin starting or initiating the system 500.

When the operator first begins initiating the system 500, from a coldstart, contactors 512 and 514 are in an open position, essentiallyisolating the battery 516, or batteries, from the rest of the system500. By isolating the battery 516 in this way, the system 500 is notreceiving any power, or open to receive power, from the battery 516,thereby conserving the battery power and limiting susceptibility to firewithin the system 500. The battery 516 may be 12 volts, as shown in FIG.6, or may be 24 volts or another desired voltage.

When the PLC 510 receives the input signal from the push button 504, thePLC 510 is programed to send power to the contactors 512 and 514 causingthem to latch in. Additionally, when the PLC 510 receives the inputsignal from the push button 504, the PLC 510 is programmed to start atimer 524 which begins a predetermined countdown. The countdown can bepreset, or changed, if desired. For example, the countdown can be set at5 minutes, or less, or more. If after the countdown ends and the PLC 510does not receive an input from an ignition switch 502, then the PLC 510will time out and send power to the contactors 512 and 514 to unlatchthem and again isolate the battery 516. When the contactors are latchedin an active state indicator light 520 may illuminate. The indicatorlight 520 may be visible to the operator to ensure that the system 500is active and functioning properly.

As also illustrated in the circuit diagram in FIG. 6, when thecontactors 512 and 514 are latched in and an input signal from theignition switch 502 is received by the PLC 510, the battery 516 willmaintain connection with the contactors 512 and 514 and provide power tothe system 500 in an active state. When the system 500 is in the activestate, the system 500 is monitored by at least one sensor 506, in atleast one of three ways. The sensor 506 can monitor pressure, as with anAnsul system, or monitor heat, with a spot detector, or monitor flames,as with a fire eye sensor. The senor 506 in FIG. 6 is a flame monitoringsensor, such as a fire eye sensor. If at any time the sensor 506 detectsa hazard or problem, the sensor 506 sends a signal to the PLC 510.Additionally, is at any time the system 500 is not active or hasdetected a hazard, a second indicator light 518, such as a red light,may be illuminated indicating to the operator that the system is nolonger active or receiving power from the battery 516.

Upon receiving a hazard signal from the sensor 506 the PLC 510 sendspower, a voltage, to unlatch the contactors 512 and 514 to again isolatethe battery and mitigate any damage done by the hazard. If no hazard isdetected then the sensor will maintain the completed circuit through thetimer 524 and start relay 528.

In situations where the heavy machinery or vehicle has been used withoutproblem or hazard detection, at the end of operation when the operatoris finished using the equipment, the ignition switch 502 is turned off,and the timer 524 will once again start its countdown. Once thecountdown is completed without the ignition switch 502 being restarted,the PLC 510 will send power to unlatch the contactors 512 and 514 andisolate the battery 516, facilitating a longer battery life since thebattery will be isolated from the machine while the machine is not inuse.

In another embodiment of the disclosed invention, as shown in FIG. 7, abattery interrupter system 600 includes an ignition switch 602 and apush button 604, or “on” button, which initiates the system 600. When anoperator presses the push button 604 to initiate the system 600, thepush button 604 sends an input signal to a programmable logic controller610, or PLC, to begin starting or initiating the system 600.

When the operator first begins initiating the system 600, from a coldstart, contactors 612 and 614 are in an open position, essentiallyisolating the battery 616, or batteries, from the rest of the system600. By isolating the battery 616 in this way, the system 600 is notreceiving any power, or open to receive power, from the battery 616,thereby conserving the battery power and limiting susceptibility to firewithin the system 600. The battery 616 may be 24 volts, as shown in FIG.7, or may be 12 volts or another desired voltage.

When the PLC 610 receives the input signal from the push button 604, thePLC 610 is programed to send power to the contactors 612 and 614 causingthem to latch in. Additionally, when the PLC 610 receives the inputsignal from the push button 604, the PLC 610 is programmed to start atimer 624 which begins a predetermined countdown. The countdown can bepreset, or changed, if desired. For example, the countdown can be set at6 minutes, or less, or more. If after the countdown ends and the PLC 610does not receive an input from an ignition switch 602, then the PLC 610will time out and send power to the contactors 612 and 614 to unlatchthem and again isolate the battery 616. When the contactors are latchedin an active state indicator light 620 may illuminate. The indicatorlight 620 may be visible to the operator to ensure that the system 600is active and functioning properly.

As also illustrated in the circuit diagram in FIG. 7, when thecontactors 612 and 614 are latched in and an input signal from theignition switch 602 is received by the PLC 610, the battery 616 willmaintain connection with the contactors 612 and 614 and provide power tothe system 600 in an active state. When the system 600 is in the activestate, the system 600 is monitored by at least one sensor 606, in atleast one of three ways. The sensor 606 can monitor pressure, as with anAnsul system, or monitor heat, with a spot detector, or monitor flames,as with a fire eye sensor. The senor 606 in FIG. 7 is a flame monitoringsensor, such as a fire eye sensor. If at any time the sensor 606 detectsa hazard or problem, the sensor 606 sends a signal to the PLC 610.Additionally, is at any time the system 600 is not active or hasdetected a hazard, a second indicator light 618, such as a red light,may be illuminated indicating to the operator that the system is nolonger active or receiving power from the battery 616.

Upon receiving a hazard signal from the sensor 606 the PLC 610 sendspower, a voltage, to unlatch the contactors 612 and 614 to again isolatethe battery and mitigate any damage done by the hazard. If no hazard isdetected then the sensor will maintain the completed circuit through thetimer 624 and start relay 628.

In situations where the heavy machinery or vehicle has been used withoutproblem or hazard detection, at the end of operation when the operatoris finished using the equipment, the ignition switch 602 is turned off,and the timer 624 will once again start its countdown. Once thecountdown is completed without the ignition switch 602 being restarted,the PLC 610 will send power to unlatch the contactors 612 and 614 andisolate the battery 616, facilitating a longer battery life since thebattery will be isolated from the machine while the machine is not inuse.

In another embodiment of the disclosed invention, as shown in FIG. 8, abattery interrupter system 700 includes an ignition switch 702 and apush button 704, or “on” button, which initiates the system 700. When anoperator presses the push button 704 to initiate the system 700, thepush button 704 sends an input signal to a programmable logic controller710, or PLC, to begin starting or initiating the system 700.

When the operator first begins initiating the system 700, from a coldstart, contactors 712 and 714 are in an open position, essentiallyisolating the battery 716, or batteries, from the rest of the system700. By isolating the battery 716 in this way, the system 700 is notreceiving any power, or open to receive power, from the battery 716,thereby conserving the battery power and limiting susceptibility to firewithin the system 700. The battery 716 may be 12 volts, as shown in FIG.8, or may be 24 volts or another desired voltage.

When the PLC 710 receives the input signal from the push button 704, thePLC 710 is programed to send power to the contactors 712 and 714 causingthem to latch in. Additionally, when the PLC 710 receives the inputsignal from the push button 704, the PLC 710 is programmed to start atimer 724 which begins a predetermined countdown. The countdown can bepreset, or changed, if desired. For example, the countdown can be set at5 minutes, or less, or more. If after the countdown ends and the PLC 710does not receive an input from an ignition switch 702, then the PLC 710will time out and send power to the contactors 712 and 714 to unlatchthem and again isolate the battery 716. When the contactors are latchedin an active state indicator light 720 may illuminate. The indicatorlight 720 may be visible to the operator to ensure that the system 700is active and functioning properly.

As also illustrated in the circuit diagram in FIG. 8, when thecontactors 712 and 714 are latched in and an input signal from theignition switch 702 is received by the PLC 710, the battery 716 willmaintain connection with the contactors 712 and 714 and provide power tothe system 700 in an active state. When the system 700 is in the activestate, the system 700 is monitored by at least one sensor 705 or 706, inat least one of three ways. The sensor 706 can monitor pressure, as withan Ansul system, or monitor heat, with a spot detector, or monitorflames, as with a fire eye sensor. The senors 705 and 706 in FIG. 8 arepressure monitoring or heat monitoring sensors, such as a Ansul or spotdetector sensors. If at any time the sensor 706 detects a hazard orproblem, the sensor 706 sends a signal to the PLC 710.

Upon receiving a hazard signal from the sensor 706 the PLC 710 sendspower, a voltage, to unlatch the contactors 712 and 714 to again isolatethe battery and mitigate any damage done by the hazard. If no hazard isdetected then the sensor will maintain the completed circuit through thetimer 724 and start relay 728.

In situations where the heavy machinery or vehicle has been used withoutproblem or hazard detection, at the end of operation when the operatoris finished using the equipment, the ignition switch 702 is turned off,and the timer 724 will once again start its countdown. Once thecountdown is completed without the ignition switch 702 being restarted,the PLC 710 will send power to unlatch the contactors 712 and 714 andisolate the battery 716, facilitating a longer battery life since thebattery will be isolated from the machine while the machine is not inuse.

It will be appreciated that the structure and apparatus disclosed hereinis merely one example of a means for providing a battery interrupter,and it should be appreciated that any structure, apparatus or system fora battery interrupter which performs functions the same as, orequivalent to, those disclosed herein are intended to fall within thescope of a means for providing a battery interrupter, including thosestructures, apparatus or systems for providing a battery interrupterwhich are presently known, or which may become available in the future.Anything which functions the same as, or equivalently to, a means forproviding a battery interrupter falls within the scope of this element.

Those having ordinary skill in the relevant art will appreciate theadvantages provide by the features of the present disclosure.

In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features of the presentdisclosure are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purposeof streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to beinterpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed disclosurerequires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather,as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than allfeatures of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the followingclaims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description of theDisclosure by this reference, with each claim standing on its own as aseparate embodiment of the present disclosure.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are onlyillustrative of the application of the principles of the presentdisclosure. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may bedevised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spiritand scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims are intendedto cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the presentdisclosure has been shown in the drawings and described above withparticularity and detail, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to,variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner ofoperation, assembly and use may be made without departing from theprinciples and concepts set forth herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A battery interrupter system comprising: aelectrical motor for a machine; at least one battery which powers anelectrical system of a machine; a programable logic controllerelectrically connected to the electrical system; an ignitionelectrically connected to the programmable logic controller; a button,which initiates the battery interrupter system, is connected to theprogrammable logic controller; at least one contactor electricallyconnected to the at least one battery and the programmable logiccontroller, wherein the programmable logic controller is configured tosends a signal to the at least one contactor to latch-in the contactorand enable an electrical connection between the at least one battery andthe electrical system of the machine; and a detection sensorelectrically connected to the programmable logic controller, wherein thedetection sensor identifies operating conditions of the electricalsystem.
 2. The battery interrupter system of claim 1, wherein thedetection sensor identifies heat conditions.
 3. The battery interruptersystem of claim 1, wherein the detection sensor identifies pressureconditions.
 4. The battery interrupter system of claim 1, wherein thedetection sensor identifies fire conditions.
 5. The battery interruptersystem of claim 1, wherein the programmable logic controller includes atimer configured to measure the time between the initiation of thebutton and the initiation of the ignition, and wherein if apredetermined amount of time lapses between when the initiation of thebutton and the initiation of the ignition occurs, the programmable logiccontroller will send a signal to the at least one contactor to unlatchthe contactor and disrupt the electrical connection between the batteryand the electrical system.
 6. The battery interrupter system of claim 1,wherein the detection sensor is configured to send a signal to theprogrammable logic controller when a predetermined condition isdetected, and when the predetermined connection is detected theprogrammable logic controller will send a signal to the at least onecontactor to unlatch the contactor and disrupt the electrical connectionbetween the battery and the electrical system.
 7. The batteryinterrupter system of claim 6, wherein the predetermined condition is aheat condition.
 8. The battery interrupter system of claim 6, whereinthe predetermined condition is a pressure condition.
 9. The batteryinterrupter system of claim 6, wherein the predetermined condition is afire condition.
 10. A battery interrupter system comprising: a machinehaving an electrical system; at least one battery which powers theelectrical system of the machine; a programable logic controllerelectrically connected to the electrical system; an ignitionelectrically connected to the programmable logic controller; a button,which initiates the battery interrupter system, is connected to theprogrammable logic controller; at least one contactor electricallyconnected to the at least one battery and the programmable logiccontroller, wherein the programmable logic controller is configured tosends a signal to the at least one contactor to latch-in the contactorand enable an electrical connection between the at least one battery andthe electrical system of the machine; and, wherein the programmablelogic controller includes a timer configured to measure the time betweenthe initiation of the button and the initiation of the ignition, andwherein if a predetermined amount of time lapses between when theinitiation of the button and the initiation of the ignition occurs, theprogrammable logic controller will send a signal to the at least onecontactor to unlatch the contactor and disrupt the electrical connectionbetween the battery and the electrical system.
 11. The batteryinterrupter system of claim 10, further comprises: a detection sensorelectrically connected to the programmable logic controller, wherein thedetection sensor identifies operating conditions of the electricalsystem.
 12. The battery interrupter system of claim 11, wherein thedetection sensor identifies heat conditions.
 13. The battery interruptersystem of claim 11, wherein the detection sensor identifies pressureconditions.
 14. The battery interrupter system of claim 11, wherein thedetection sensor identifies fire conditions.
 15. The battery interruptersystem of claim 11, wherein the detection sensor is configured to send asignal to the programmable logic controller when a predeterminedcondition is detected, and when the predetermined connection is detectedthe programmable logic controller will send a signal to the at least onecontactor to unlatch the contactor and disrupt the electrical connectionbetween the battery and the electrical system.
 16. The batteryinterrupter system of claim 15, wherein the predetermined condition is aheat condition.
 17. The battery interrupter system of claim 15, whereinthe predetermined condition is a pressure condition.
 18. The batteryinterrupter system of claim 15, wherein the predetermined condition is afire condition.